The wise Confucius said: “One should be wary of three faults: speaking without being invited, which is impertinence; not speaking when invited, which is dissimulation; speaking without observing the other’s reactions, which is blindness.” Thus, in speaking on Sunday at Acropolis in Nice, Christian Estrosi does not err. He is invited to speak. UMP activists have long called for his candidacy for the mayor of Nice. Eric Ciotti, deputy of the 1st constituency of Alpes-Maritimes, followed suit, as did some municipal councilors. This was relayed by the media, which made the possibility of Christian Estrosi’s candidacy the soap opera of the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Therefore, it is not impertinent for the president of the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes to speak and no longer hide his intentions.
Continuing with quotes, the king of Sparta, Archidamos, one of the most peaceful despite the Spartans’ warlike tendencies, said: “He who knows how to speak also knows when to speak.” Is this the right time to speak? Is it neither too early nor too late? Too late because this wait has caused tensions, transforming into perhaps irreversible internal quarrels? It is premature if Christian Estrosi never assumes his candidacy by tomorrow with a future project. It was especially the deadline since an UMP nomination committee dedicated to the Southeast cities was supposed to endorse him on Monday. It is more reasonable to announce it during a significant speech. He should not have waited for an official UMP note where Christian Estrosi’s name would be drowned among others. The “catiminin” style is not the UMP’s house style, well-versed in communicative mechanisms.
The name “Christian Estrosi” makes many voters dream. It’s not Nice-Premium saying this, but a poll commissioned by the UMP and shared by our colleagues at Nice Matin, which gave the current Secretary of State for Overseas Territories 50% voting intentions. But the aura alone won’t be enough to retain the majority of votes. Many will say: “Well, that’s nice, but now what are you going to do with our city, Christian?” And there, a response will be awaited. Perhaps as soon as Sunday. If he were indeed a candidate, he would unveil part of his project and surely his team. He will bring content to his announcement because, as Voltaire aptly puts it: “We always speak poorly when we have nothing to say.”
The schedule is clear: until Sunday, we talk about Christian Estrosi, Sunday Christian Estrosi speaks, and from Monday we talk again about Christian Estrosi and what other candidates will do concerning Christian Estrosi.
Nice Premium asked all major players in the Nice Municipal election to comment on Christian Estrosi’s announcement.
Rudy Salles, deputy, candidate of the New Center
Nice-Premium: What will Christian Estrosi’s potential candidacy for the Mayor of Nice change for you?
Rudy Salles: I announced my candidacy for the Mayor of Nice a few weeks ago based on several principles: a break with Jacques Peyrat and his team, the need for renewal, the need to meet the expectations of the people of Nice with specific projects addressing the need for local infrastructure while also giving Nice its stature as a major French and Mediterranean metropolis. I added that if Christian Estrosi was a candidate, we would talk. After all, we both belong to the presidential majority. So, we must meet to discuss the future of the city to which both he and I are attached. If we can agree on all the points related to the city’s future and also allow our respective teams to find their place in the future municipal team to exercise responsibilities, we can form an agreement and create a united list. Christian Estrosi is Secretary of State, and I am Vice President of the National Assembly; this would make a good ticket to win. In this case, there will be a number 1 and a number 2. There is work for everyone, and politics is not just about ego issues. If, on the other hand, we couldn’t find common ground on the points just mentioned, then each would lead his list.
NP: Can you imagine that Christian Estrosi might surprise everyone and not declare himself a candidate?
RS: Honestly, I don’t think so. Everyone knows that he will announce his candidacy next Sunday.
Hervé Caël, Modem candidate (unofficial)
NP: What will Christian Estrosi’s potential candidacy for the Mayor of Nice change for you?
Hervé Caël: Nothing fundamentally. As announced by François BAYROU at the Democratic Forum of Seignosse in September, the Democratic Movement is calmly preparing for the municipal elections in Nice as in all the “big” cities of France. We are finalizing our proposals, and after this internal debate, we will soon present them to the people of Nice.
Without wanting to interfere in the selection of lead candidates for other political formations, we cannot deny the impact of the entry of the minister, president of the General Council, into the campaign. However, we will wait until we know his program before commenting.
NP: Can you imagine that Christian Estrosi might surprise everyone and not declare himself a candidate?
HC: We have five months of campaigning ahead of us. Five months that will reserve surprises, withdrawals, and alliances. However, Christian Estrosi’s non-candidacy, after months of preparation, seems unlikely to me.
Patrick Mottard, diverse left candidate
NP: What will Christian Estrosi’s potential candidacy for the Mayor of Nice change for you?
Patrick Mottard: In September, I announced my candidacy for the mayor of Nice, following the 2001 election and the seven years spent leading the municipal opposition. My goal is to unite. To unite and propose. I am not concerned with anything else.
NP: Can you imagine that Christian Estrosi might surprise everyone and not declare himself a candidate?
PM: I’m not a fortune-teller. And even less in Christian Estrosi’s confidences!
Jean-Christophe Picard, Radical Left Party, in reflection
NP: What will Christian Estrosi’s potential candidacy for the Mayor of Nice change for you?
Jean-Christophe Picard: The left can no longer rely on the unpopularity of the outgoing right-wing candidate to win. It must now propose a team and a project that can win the majority of citizens’ support. It’s up to us to be the best!
On the right, I sense that there will be heated exchanges and that skeletons in the closet will suddenly resurface!
NP: Can you imagine that Christian Estrosi might surprise everyone and not declare himself a candidate?
JCP: Christian Estrosi had already stated a few years ago that he would “never be a candidate for the mayor of Nice”! And since I give no credit to his statements… I believe he will run!
Patrick Allemand, Socialist Party candidate:
NP: What will Christian Estrosi’s potential candidacy for the Mayor of Nice change for you?
Patrick Allemand: It obviously changes the political landscape on the right. But for me, it doesn’t fundamentally change things because I always believed the left could not, as in 2001, simply rely on Jacques Peyrat’s unpopularity.
This time, we must present a project capable of halting the spiral of Nice’s decline and restoring confidence in their city. From there, the choice will be simple. Either to continue the reign of a worn-out Nice right wing after 62 years of uncontested rule or to choose a break with a system that paralyzes the city.
Christian Estrosi will not break with this system. He is a pure product of it. And he will be, at best, a part-time mayor. In 2007, one can no longer be both a minister and the mayor of a major city.
NP: Can you imagine that Christian Estrosi might surprise everyone and not declare himself a candidate?
PA: Not for a second. All of this has been orchestrated for a very long time. There were obvious precursor signs, and if some didn’t see them, it was because they didn’t want to.
